Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mix1]

[oppa637]

How would you feel if said dog died? I understand you meant well but you should really check to make sure you are doing more good than harm.

[sublunari]

Caring for these poor animals by buying meat that has been harvested from other poor animals is kind of ridiculous. If you feel bad about the stray cats, the chained-up dogs, the boshintang, and you're still eating meat, you are a hypocrite. Donate your time or money to animal shelters and/or convert to vegetarianism if you really care about the horrific way animals are treated here in Korea and around the world. Anything less is slacktivism.

[tiger fancini]

[Steelrails]

I think birds in cages is messed up. I hate pet birds beyond the stink they make and their noise, I think its really sad to see a bird in a cage that isn't livestock. Same with dogs.

But I don't go messing with other people's caged birds. I don't get sanctimonious about some culture involving caged birds or short-leashed dogs.

The problem with these situations is that short-term attempts to make things better usually creates a new problem or exacerbates an existing one.

Feed stray cats? Stray cat population grows. Feed leashed dog? Leashed dog gets sick on what you feed it. Longer leashes? Dog bites some kid or his leash is long enough to go into the street where car drives and he gets a smushed foot. Free caged birds? Caged bird starts some sort of invasive species problem or carries some disease.

It sucks, because at the end of the day the OP has a point- a 2 foot leash is no way to live.

[rabidcake]

OP, what is not your responsibility should not concern you. Will you start feeding and taking care of children that are not yours?

While you mean well, just leave your dogs and your 2000 won alone. Honestly these dogs, are well, dogs, maybe it's sometimes a bit harsh compared to Western standards, but it's not your job to come to a foreign country and tell people how their dogs should be handled.

[rainman3277]

[kz626]

It's probable that a dog being tied out like that is either livestock, as someone else has already said, or a guard dog. In the event that it's a guard dog, you're completely messing everything up for the owner by teaching it to be friendly toward strangers. That's just going to result in the dog either being dumped at a shelter (or in the street) and replaced, or the guard dog will suddenly become a livestock dog since it's not doing its job.
It's possible- I suppose not probable since we are in Korea and things are different here- but, POSSIBLE, that the dog does have a meal schedule and you just don't see it being fed or taken inside or whatever. There's actually a big Jindo in a house nearby who is left outside occasionally and barks at people passing by; but, he isn't there all the time, he's a guard dog and I've seen him inside through a window too. I guess if you only saw him outside on his lead you'd assume he was neglected or something but it's not the case. People in Korea don't normally keep big dogs for family pets, they have household functions- keep people away, keep stray cats and dogs away, catch rats, whatever. Some dogs are working dogs and they're kept to perform their job, even if that job means sitting outside and growling to intimidate trespassers. It might not be considered ethical or whatever, but, that's how it is.

You should either approach the owner and offer to buy the dog so you can take care of it as you see fit, or leave it alone. It's not your dog, and for all you know you're messing things up with its training and meals. I completely understand that you're feeding it out of kindness, but I'm guessing the owners might not appreciate it and that could result in bad news for the dog. It's perfectly normal for dogs- especially big male Jindos- to spend 80% of their lives outside, watching the house. It's just what they do here.

[Mix1]

[Mix1]

[ewlandon]

if you really care about the animals you will go around the neighborhood teaching the local dogs and cats how to eat a vegan meal.

[ejyanaika]

while in daejeon last spring, walking back to the apartment, i could hear someone beating a dog to death. I've heard lots of stories from koreans and americans here that if you get into any kind of trouble, normally it's the foreigner that get's the bottom end of it.

So while it was too late, as it was 2 or 4 swings, and then it stopped. I started making some phone calls to ask about the legality of it. It was a pen between a park and a parking garage. There was no apartment or house. Just a makeshift pen to hold dogs(for them to eat? or to sell dog meat?).

Everyone told me that no matter what, the law wouldn't be on my side. I believe the korean person i met/asked called the police for me about the situation. But then again she may have been hesistant about it. So i just wore a hoody and tore everything down and unchained the dogs. I was not going to have another night of listening to a dog getting beaten to death.

Regardless if it's animals, i see it often with people here too. Someone falls, or there is a situation on the subway, and no one does anything. The apathy boggles me. But there are times when you do see those random acts of kindness and it's really touching.

One example: An elderly man getting on the bus his card didn't work and he didn't have the cash, so the bus driver yelled at him to get off, but a young girl(college student?) pulled money from her wallet and handed it to him. It really surprised me.

[sublunari]

[ejyanaika]

double post?

[Scorpion]

I know that what I'm advocating is a small thing. That's why the thread is titled"small acts" of kindness to Korea's dogs. I'm not pretending I'm doing anything grand. It is a very small thing, but it makes a big difference to the poor dog. You can take my word on that! It's the highlight of his day. When he sees me approaching with a can of tuna or some meat he can barely contain himself. It does make a difference. For those of you who help at shelters or contribute financially, that's briliant. You have my respect and gratitude. Thank you kindly for doing what you are doing. But not all of circumstances permit us to do that. (I, for example, live in the boonies. ) Also, there are millions of neglected dogs in Korea that will never set foot in a shelter. They spend their life tied up on a two foot leash. Should we simply ignore them because they aren't in a shelter? Some here clearly mock these small gestures of compassion. But for the poor creatures a couple of sausages is like Christmas morning.

It is emphatically not the same as 'feeding the birds'. That's just stupid. For one thing, people feed the birds mostly for their own entertainment. It's the height of cynicism to suggest that I am doing this for my entertainment. Why then did I start this thread? So others can do small kindnesses to dogs 'for my entertainment'' .Secondly, the birds can take care of themselves. The dog tied up for its entire life cannot.

I will continue doing small kindnesses where I can. Hopefully others do too. There are millions of neglected dogs in Korea that wish they would.

Regards,
Scorpion